It’s time to look at the differences between the two very popular and affordable electric guitars: The Squire Bullet Vs Affinity collection.
Squire guitars that serve a purpose to get you playing without having to break the bank in the process.
It’s pretty well known that Squire guitars produces some of, if not the best entry-level instruments at very friendly prices.
I’ve included my favorite Squire Bullet Vs Affinity in the following areas: Budget, Comfort, Reliability, Tone, and Best Bang for Buck.
There are many qualities and details you may be unaware of, so let’s jump straight into the Squire Bullet Vs Affinity comparison and see what guitar matches your rock needs.
Let’s get straight into it…
Squier Bullet vs Affinity
Best Overall
My choice for the best overall between the two is the Affinity Telecaster series.
I feel the Telecaster bodied guitar is smaller, lighter, and more comforting to play than a Stratocaster shaped body.
The Tele is a little more helpful for beginners, and they’re generally built to last through an apocalypse! The Squire Strat is a very close second.
So, for the comfort and lastability reason, I’ve gone with the Squier Affinity Series Telecaster Electric Guitar.
It’s also worth mentioning among guitar players worldwide, the Telecaster is the most versatile guitar on the planet.
From Rage Against The Machine-Led Zeppelin-Rolling Stones to The Police-Bruce Springsteen-Jeff Buckley-George Harrison- Merle Haggard and Brad Paisley. Now that’s the full spectrum of music!
Main Differences
Squier Guitars
The two guitars are designed similarly enough; however, a few key differences need to be considered.
- Squire Affinity Guitars are made in Indonesia, while Squire Bullet Electric Guitars are made in China
- Squire Affinity Guitars are made to be hand-made, and quality control is higher.
- On occasions, you’ll find both guitars either have a ‘string through’ or ‘top loader’ string options.
- The Affinity stock pickups are much hotter and give you a higher output than the Bullet.
- As stated above, the Affinity has a better ‘mid-range’ and body.
- The Squire Bullets body is slightly thinner in width.
- The nut of the Affinity is narrower, which suits smaller hands.
- Durability-History has told us the Affinity seems to stand the test of time better than the Bullet due to the hardware being of a higher quality.
- Both are still considered to be a durable guitar.
- The Affinity Series have a wider scope of colors/styles to choose from.
- Squire Bullets are generally the cheaper option.
Squire Bullet Electric Guitar
One of the most popular intruments by Fender Guitars, is the Telecaster.
It was used by music legends such as Chuck Berry, The Edge, and Pete Townshend, among many many more.
It is a classic that has had many variations over the years but has remained in production since 1953 in the same shape as it is now.
There are now many different models of this guitar in production. The Squire Bullet is aimed at the new player or someone wanting a secondary guitar.
The Bullet enables beginners to experience the historic guitar while learning with the legendary shape and tone.
The Bullet is made with more affordable hardware giving you the chance to own a Telecaster at a much-reduced price.
Models
- Telecaster
- Mustang HH
- Squire Bullet Stratocaster
- Squire Bullet Stratocaster HT HSS
Best Features
The Squier Bullet Telecaster Electric Guitar is the perfect blend of style and function.
With its poplar body, 25.5″ scale neck, and Indian Laurel fingerboard, this guitar is perfect for any rockin’ performance.
The Squire Bullet is an electric guitar that serves as an affordable, stylish, and versatile instrument for players of all skill levels.
Once again, we have a very comfortable C profile neck for maximum comfort.
In addition, it has reliable standard cast/sealed tuners, which is great for complete beginners as you don’t want to be spending every 5 minutes tuning up or breaking strings. Little touches like this are important are well worth knowing about.
The guitar that comes out of the box tends to come with a sticky neck and dry fretboard. This is because of the lower-priced materials they’ve used in the build.
Don’t let this put you off. It’s a perfectly suitable guitar, but my advice would be to give it a good setup before playing it.
The strings that come on the guitar have to be changed straight off the bat. They’re awful. This won’t help you or your tone in any way. They’ll probably end up snapping after a few weeks.
The Squire Bullet series is a popular product, as they serve a purpose perfectly.
They are user-friendly, comfortable, and a very reliable place to start your guitar career.
If you want the best sound possible from the Bullet, do your guitar a favor and get some decent strings. I’ve reviewed the Best Strings for Telecasters here.
I’m not sure there’s another beginner/intermediate guitar as good as the Telecaster Bullet for around this price range.
Size Weight and Shape
The Squire Bullet is the perfect addition to any music lover’s arsenal, delivering on the quality and curves you expect from great telecasters.
As the body is slighter thinner than the standard Tele, it has a nice lightweight feel. This is exactly why the Bullet is such a big hit with children and small hands.
I chose the Telecaster as the great beginner guitar over the popular Stratocaster purely for comfort.
As the body of Tele is smaller, it’s much more comforting than the odd-shaped Strats, which take some getting used to.
I’ve got both guitars at home, and the Tele is my go-to guitar.
A solid basswood body isn’t probably the guitarist’s choice, but it doesn’t lack in resonance.
I was surprised how chimey the guitar sounded unplugged.
The Squire Bullet Telecaster is around 10 pounds in weight.
Tone
The Bullet has a ‘string-through’ body hardtail bridge. This, in my opinion, is better than the top loader. In addition, the string through option gives the guitar better resonance.
As the strings are extended behind the bridge, I feel it’s easier to bend and hit notes with this design rather than the old top loader.
This is just my opinion, though, and you may feel different. However, when it comes to the main differences, they are negligible.
The neck feels great, and the fretwork build is pretty good. But, remember you’ll be getting real Fender Guitars specifications, so you’re getting a lot for a couple of hundred bucks.
When plugged in, you’re given plenty of snap. As a result, you’ll never get bored of how many bright shimmery tones you can achieve with the Squire Bullet.
It lacks a little in the mid-scoop and neck pickups. There is much less body to the tone; it doesn’t seem to carry much thickness for me. But that’s something I wouldn’t be expecting from a starter guitar. It’s purely an observation I noticed between the two guitars.
All in all, if you were buying a guitar based on tone, you wouldn’t be looking at this article, I expect. However, the Affinity is a clear winner when it comes to tone.
The great thing about the Bullet is that you can upgrade the pickups later down the line. So with a decent pair of pickups, you really can build yourself a superb-sounding low priced guitar.
Here are my favorite tele pickups.
Colors
Depending on where in the world you buy your Bullet, the following colors are available through my links:
(The UK and US have different colors available)
- Black
- Brown Sunburst
- Olympic White
Pros N Cons
Squire Bullet Pros : You’ll Do Very Well To Find More Value For Money Where A Squire Guitars Are Concerned, Nice Body Finish, Looks Fantastic, Outrageous Low Price, Beginner Worthy, Popular Choice
Cons : Tone From Mid-Low Isn’t Great, Lacking Colors To Choose From.
Squire Affinity Series Telecaster
The Squier Affinity Series Telecaster guitar is perfect for players who want good value, versatile controls, and a classic Telecaster look.
With a price point that is easy to afford, this guitar will provide you with centuries of playing experience.
Squire Affinity Series Models
- Telecaster
- Stratocaster
- Stratocaster FMT HSS
- Stratocaster HH
- Jazzmaster
- Telecaster Deluxe
- Starcaster
Best Features
The Squire Affinity Series Telecaster is the perfect choice for players who want the quality and features that come with years of build experience.
The Maple neck with a “C”-shaped profile is top-loaded with a one-inch scale length, making it easy to play.
Both my Strat and Telecaster have the same C shaped neck. However, they’re slimmer and are much more comfortable than the bulky Fender necks.
The Telecaster pickups are vintage-style, durable/reliable, and nicely spicy. In my opinion, this is the stand-out difference between Affinity and Bullet.
The Bullet doesn’t quite reach the quality of mid-lower tone that the Affinity can.
The bridge is top-loaded with three-way switching treble and mid- mids and end basses, making it easy to control the sound.
The Telecaster’s lightweight makes it easy to carry around, yet it’s still able to play a wide genre of music.
The Squire Affinity Series Telecaster is our top pick for the best starting guitar for small hands.
With a simple design and a great sound, this guitar is perfect for beginners or anyone just getting started.
The Affinity comes in a gorgeous array of classic fender guitars colors.
A perfect place to start your guitar adventure.
Size Weight and Shape
The Squire Affinity Series Telecaster is still the classic shape and design from the 50s.
Due to the player-friendly curves, it’s a perfect guitar for wanna-be rockers of all ages.
It’s a simple design, and a single cutaway allows you to easily practice at home or in the studio, standing or sitting.
The Telecaster’s weight is around 10lbs and sits comfortably in your lap.
Tone
If you’re looking for vintage Keith Richards break up, or hard-hitting fat beasty Zeppelin riffs, you’re not going to get that at this price tag.
What you will get is the classic clean and warm balanced sound of a Tele. In addition, the bridge pickup gives you some nice bells and whistles and is crystal clear. Cutting in fact.
The Middle pickup is my favorite. It’s a beautiful combination of warm, mellow lows and scooped midrange.
Neck pickup can be thick and crunchy; all you gotta do is roll that tone pot down a third.
All in all, if you are expecting a Tele tone, you can get it with the Affinity. Also, the pickups are surprisingly good for the price range. All in all, a good solid, reliable guitar for every age and skill level.
Colors
Just look at the range of stunning colors you can choose from. You’re certainly going to look the part with these classic Fender shades.
- Arctic White
- Black
- Butterscotch Blonde
- Competition Orange
- Race Green
- Slick Silver
- 2-Color Sunburst
The fingerboard comes in with Maple or Rosewood. Click the links to choose.
Pros N Cons
Squire Affinity Pros : Superb Array Of Affinity Models, Can Handle Most Music Styles, C Shaped Profile Neck, Higher Quality Pickups
Cons : Lacking Real High End Tone, Maybe Way Over Your Budget For A Starter Guitar
4 Similar Alternatives
Here is a range of alternatives that I feel are close to the Squire guitars Bullet and Affinity, and come in around the same price bracket.
1- Squier Bullet Stratocaster HT Electric Guitar (Brown Sunburst)
The Classic Squier Strat Bullet. Another guitar that’s designed for players who want an easy-to-use and lightweight way to get started with music.
This Bullet Strat is perfect for beginners with a classic tone and curves, like the real thing.
Very easy to use, and has a versatile sound that experts highly regard.
Low Priced than the affinity strat.
2- Squier Bullet Mustang HH Electric Guitar
Squier Bullet Mustang can deliver some truly sophisticated tones for a beginner-friendly electric guitar.
The Squier Bullet Mustang has a fun, easy playing experience, making it a great choice for anyone looking to start their playing journey on the right path.
The guitar comes in some nice bluish tones too.
3- Ibanez As53 Semi-Hollow Electric Guitar
This semi-hollow Ibanez is another great starter choice if you’re looking for something off the beaten track. Perfect for players who want the classic look but want to get ahead of the game.
Its Tone control allows players to create any tone they want; its thinline shape means it’s easy to play and built by the reliable Ibanez company. Guaranteed to last. That’s the Ibanez way.
4- Epiphone Les Paul Studio LT Electric Guitar
The Epiphone Les Paul Studio is a lower-end guitar that’s still worth your time and money.
Not only is it an amazing guitar at an amazing price, but it’s also worth considering if you’re on a tight budget. These babies can dish out some gut-wrenching rock tones with the classic Les Paul shape.
The smallest body in the review is also a good thing for kids and entry-level players wanting to emulate the Gibson greats.
Questions Answered
Is the Squire Affinity better than the Bullet?
In my opinion, yes! Although you will be paying a little more, I feel the Affinity has better hardware. Meaning the guitar will not only sound better, but it will also last you longer if it’s in the hands of children or heavy-handed players.
Although both guitars are very similar, the Affinity has better pickups. Giving you the chance to reach a wider range of tones than the Bullet series.
Are Squier Bullets any good?
Yes! They sell so many because the Bullet serves a purpose to so many wanna-be players of all ages and skill levels.
Suppose you’re unsure whether you or somebody will stick to playing guitar. In that case, the Bullet is an affordable option that can lead on to the next level without any issues.
If required, the Squire Bullet can also be upgraded with better pickups and bridge.
Unfortunately, most low-priced guitars don’t give you this option.
It’s a very reliable guitar that is a perfect choice for those considering starting their guitar adventure.
What Is Best For You?
Within the first few seconds, you’ll know if you like the guitar visually. You get that gut feeling.
What guitar do your heroes play? You can find a less expensive version of their guitar. If it’s going to help you practice more, then do it!
Playing a guitar, you like the look of is important. You always want to get to the stage where you can’t walk past it without picking it up. That’s how you get good at guitar.
What type of music do you like?
If you want to sound like a certain genre or style, do some research and look at what brand of guitar is being played on that record.
For instance, here are some basic examples of guitars that play certain genres best:
Blues: Stratocaster,Telecaster, Les Paul
Rock: Stratocaster, Telecaster, Les Paul, Ibanez,
Heavy Metal: Ibanez, Les Paul
Punk: Stratocaster, Telecaster, Ibanez
Remember:
Do not underestimate the power of comfort.
Having a guitar that fits you like a glove will help you learn quicker. When trying out guitars, ensure you feel relaxed and at ease.
How much should I spend on a guitar?
A final consideration you might want to make is cost.
Electric guitars range from a few hundred dollars to nearly ten thousand dollars.
For a first-time guitar player, you can expect to spend at least a few hundred dollars to get started, although you might find second-hand guitars cheaper.
But unless you know how to check a guitar over, I would stick to buying brand new.
Fortunately, a few companies like Squier offer beginner packages that include a super starter pack that includes everything you need. This is usually a pretty good bargain for any new player and can save you many headaches trying to build a complete setup.
In general, you can find a starter guitar for as little as $200, which is a really good deal. Anything much below this (unless on sale) I would stay away from.
Squier Bullet vs Affinity: Final Thoughts
As the Affinity Telecaster covers children, beginners, intermediate and is good enough to be a sturdy second guitar, I feel this is my overall winner between the two.
The overall spectrum of tone to the Affinity is far superior to the Bullet.
You’ve also got the added bonus of longevity with the Affinity.
Later, you can easily upgrade parts of the guitar for a low cost. Its far from an expensive guitar, and you can really get a high sound quality with little upgrades here and there.
Suppose you have a little more in your budget. In that case, I would 100% go for the Affinity Tele compared to the slightly lower-priced Bullet.
I hope this has helped you choose,
Good Luck with your adventure
